<span>Jane Fonda</span>
Scientist

Jane Fonda

Socio Economist

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
 
Socio-Economist
KMFRI – Sagana Centre
 
Sustainable Aquaculture & Agribusiness
Women & Youth Empowerment • Food Systems • Enterprise Development
 

Email: fawuor@kmfri.go.ke Email: fondajaneawuor@gmail.com

 
Research Focus
Enhancing sustainable development of aquaculture to meet growing food demand • Expanding business opportunities for economic empowerment of vulnerable groups (women and youth) • Science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to address societal needs
Academic Qualifications
PhD in Agricultural Economics (ongoing)
Master of Arts in Economics
Bachelor of Economics
Professional Memberships
International Association of Great Lakes Research (IAGLR)
Mentoring Network for African Women in Academia (MTAWA)
Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN)
Leadership Focus: Driving sustainable aquaculture development through business innovation, women and youth empowerment, and trans-disciplinary research partnerships for food security and economic growth.
 

Ms. Jane Fonda Awuor is a Socio-Economist at KMFRI's Sagana Centre, committed to enhancing sustainable development of aquaculture to meet the growing demand for food. Her focus is on expanding business opportunities for economic empowerment of vulnerable groups with a bias on women and youth through business development strategies.

She is accomplished in evaluating development projects and monitoring their implementation, possessing expert knowledge of communication channels with a balanced approach to volatile situations. With keen observation and analysis skills, she has led her team to analyze user activity to determine opportunities for growing audiences. She also possesses skills in undertaking trans-disciplinary and collaborative research with private organizations, NGOs, and government institutions.

Ms. Awuor focuses on science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to address societal needs. She is experienced in designing and managing development projects with a focus on food systems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, livelihood, gender, and environmental economics and policy through public-private partnerships. She has special interest in successful agribusiness and enterprise development and comprehending behavioral and social sciences' role in elucidating consumers' and producers' behavior and decision making.

 
Research Interests & Specializations
Agribusiness & Enterprise Development Food Systems Environmental & Resource Economics and Policy Gender Studies Sustainable Aquaculture Value Chain Analysis Project Design & Management
 
Key Research Contributions & Publications
  • Role of Women in Freshwater Aquaculture – Published research on the role of women in freshwater aquaculture development in Kenya (Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 2021), highlighting gender dimensions in the sector.
  • Aquaculture Extension Services – Led research on aquaculture extension service in Kenya, examining farmers and extension officers' perspectives (Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development 2020).
  • Market Linkages & Distribution Channels – Co-authored comprehensive research on market linkages and distribution channels of cultured, captured and imported fish in Kenya (Aquaculture Studies 2019).
  • Consumer Preferences – Contributed to research on perceived consumer preferences of fisheries products retailed in Kenyan markets (Bioscience Research 2020).
  • Women in Fisheries & Aquaculture Value Chain – Co-authored research on the state of women in fisheries and aquaculture value chain in Homabay County, Kenya (Livestock Research for Rural Development 2019).
  • Selective Breeding for Sustainable Aquaculture – Contributed to research on selective breeding of Nile Tilapia as a strategy for genetic improvement for sustainable aquaculture development (Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2021).
  • Comparative Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia – Co-authored research on growth performance of genetically male, sex reversed, and mixed-sex Nile Tilapia reared in earthen ponds in Sagana, Kenya (Aquaculture Studies 2020).
 
Book Chapters & Major Publications
State of Aquaculture in Kenya 2020 – Contributing author to multiple chapters: "Post-Harvest Management, Value Addition and Fish Marketing" (Chapter 6), "Aquaculture Research and Training in Kenya" (Chapter 8), and "Cross-Cutting Themes in Aquaculture Development in Kenya" (Chapter 9).
State of Aquaculture in Kenya (2017) – Contributing author to chapters on "Social and Economic Impacts of Aquaculture in Kenya" and "Post Harvest Management, Value Addition and Marketing".
Training of Trainers Manual – Lead author of the Training of Trainers Manual for climate smart aquaculture practices (2020), building capacity for sustainable aquaculture extension.
Kenya's Aquaculture Brief 2017 – Contributing author to KMFRI's comprehensive brief on the status, trends, challenges, and future outlook of aquaculture in Kenya.
International Conference Presentations – Presented research on "Women in freshwater aquaculture in Kenya" at GLOW9 International Conference (2019).
Ms. Jane Fonda Awuor's research at KMFRI's Sagana Centre brings exceptional expertise in sustainable aquaculture development, agribusiness enterprise, and gender empowerment – strengthening the Institute's capacity to design and evaluate development projects, build public-private partnerships, expand market opportunities for vulnerable groups, and translate aquaculture research into tangible economic and social benefits for women and youth across Kenya's food systems.